Sumter, SC (WLTX) -- A compromise ended legal proceedings in the fight between a Sumter charter school and its district.
The agreement will not restore the charter of the Mary L. Dinkins School - but it does address financial concerns.
The district was in court Tuesday in an attempt to make a temporary restraining order, permanent.
Lawyers spent the morning questioning witnesses and presenting evidence in a courtroom filled with parents who support the school, but during a short recess the two sides hashed out a deal that both have claimed as a victory.
"I knew in my hearts of hearts God would never fail us," said the school's executive director Benita Dinkins-Robinson.
"We're very happy with the days outcome," said Butch Bowers, attorney for the district..
Bowers says the issue of the restraining order ended with an agreement from the school to appoint Dr. Gary Burgess, a former school superintendent as a receiver at the school.
Burgess will review and have input but, no veto authority, for the school's expenditures.
Checks written above $2,500 will require two signatures, which Burgess will have the ability to sign.
The school administration has promised to provide financial records for Burgess to review and has agreed not to misuse public funding -- which the school says it never did anyway.
Several parents were in court and say they are pleased with the outcome as well.
Tahalita Evans has six children from K4 to the eight grade that attend the school.
She says despite the obstacles Mary L. Dinkins has faced she has seen changes in her children during their five years at the school.
"They're eager to learn, they want to learn, they want to get up every morning, get on that bus and go to school, you know being at the regular public school setting I didn't have that with my children," said Evans.
Attorneys for both sides will draft a written consent order to submit to the judge in the next ten days.
Dinkins-Robinson says the school will keep its doors open, even as she fights to appeal its revoked charter.